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For 17 years readers have turned to Storey Books for advice on raising animals. Our Modern Way series of six books has sold more than 1,000,000 copies. In an effort to provide readers with the best how-to animal books on the market we are completely updating all six Modern Way titles and reintroducing them as part of our Guide to Raising series.

Written by experts, these guides give novice and experienced livestock farmers all they need to know to successfully keep and profit from animals. Each book includes information on selection, housing, space requirements, breeding and birthing techniques, feeding, behavior, and health concerns and remedies for illness. The books also address the business of raising animals -- processing meat, milk, eggs, and more. The authors were chosen not only for their expertise but also for their ability to explain the ins and outs of animal husbandry in an inviting and authoritative manner.

Whether readers are ready to start an entire herd or flock or are considering purchasing their first animal, Storey's Guide to Raising series offers vital information; each book is an indispensable reference.

Product Description

From the Back Cover

This comprehensive, fully illustrated guide takes you through every step of owning ducks. An essential resource for any duck breeder, it provides the most up-to-date information on:

Individual breeds

Breeding for color varieties

Feeding and housing

Maximizing egg production

Breeding for color varieties

Showing prize-winning ducks

Health care and disease prevention

"This book is a deep and useful resource for anyone from beginner to advanced breeder and is jam-packed with information available nowhere else. This includes not only recent scientific understandings but also many insights and 'tricks' from old-time breeders that are sure to contribute to success." - D. Philip Sponenberg, D.V.M., Ph.D. American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

About the Author

Dave Holderread has raised and studied ducks for 50 years. He taught applied poultry science in Puerto Rico before he and his wife established one of the largest genetic stocks of domestic waterfowl in the world on their farm in Oregon. Their ducks have won numerous championships at regional, national, and international shows.

Most helpful customer reviews

Holderread's book is extremely helpful in giving you all the information necessary to raise ducks. The book gives info on why to raise, features, behavior, breeds, hybrids, colors, acquiring stock, incubation, rearing ducklings, managing adults, feeds, butchering, health and physical problems, and duck shows. It also gives recipes, ways to use feathers, and sources for ducks, equipment, feed, etc. He gives stories from his childhood duck experiences, too.Being a complete beginner, I bought this book along with ten mallard ducklings July 2001. They are now completely grown, healthy, pretty, happy, friendly, etc! They are laying eggs and hatching them now, too. Each has it's own distinct personality. One's even a lap duck!I really recommend ducks as pets, livestock, or decoration. If you have the time and money, you should buy your own little flock. They will be so much fun, and with this book, you'll keep them happy.

Awesome book! I found the book on the Poultry Connection General Waterfowl Forum and found ratings of great to great. Now i too can attest to this book's unbeleivable amount of pertinent resources and useful, if not needful, information. Mr. Holderrad can only be using his many years of experience to help others start, maintain, and enjoy their waterfowl. For that this book is now a fixture on my table and will remain open and within easy reach for answers to any question that i may have. Thank you Mr. Holderread!

Well written and put together. This book is for the beginner as well as intermediate domestic duck keepers. Has everything from care and housing to breeding and basic genetics in an easy to understand format. If you've read Raising the Home Duck Flock by Dave Holderread... and found it of use, you'll love this one. He's revised the previous edition with the newest up-to-date information available for domestic waterfowl.

I highly recommend this book. Dave Holderread really knows his ducks. This book is a must for the duck enthusiast, no matter what breed you're interested in. I would also recommend purchasing your ducks from Dave, especially if you're just starting out, his ducks prove that he knows what he's doing. Check the directory in the back of the book for a whole flock of the best duck breeders out there!

Absolutely necessary for beginning or long-time duck raisers. This book covers all subjects you'll want to browse before and after buying ducks. Great for resources in other books too, I should know, I mention this book in my new small-farm animal book for raising livestock. You'll surely enjoy all the facts and incredible information from hatching to breeding to raising ducks in this book...